My Son Has Combat Ptsd

[mrs.m]

Can someone PLEASE help me to understand what this is. And what can I do to help him. He lives in another country

 

[Zipperhead]

Your other thread asks basically the same question. Having said that, the answer is the same here as it was there. Read, ask questions, and support him whenever you can. Where does he live?

 

[mrs.m]

He lives in Germany. He was living with his wife and children. But now it is hard for me to get in touch with him. I feel so helpless. A few nights ago I woke up at 3 am because I thought I heard him crying. I tried to call him but couldn't get in touch with him. I talked to him the next day and of course on his side the conversation was short and sweet. I couldn't tell him about the dream. I am afraid he would have been upset with me. Sometimes I say the wrong thing and it upsets him.

 

[KK3966]

It can be hard to know what to says sometimes.. I try to always stop, think, then talk. Hard to do sometimes, especially when emotions are involved. Can you write him? If you poke around on here, you can find some good information about combat ptsd. And if you get on the web, and search for national center for ptsd, you will find lots of good info, too. Hope that helps. :)

 

[friendlybadger]

You sound like a great, caring mom and bless you for how much you care about your son :)
I just wanted to say, don't take it personally if he reacts to what you say in a negative way. He most likely isn't thinking about how he's hurting you. It sounds like he's early into dealing with his problem and is wrapped up in fighting his inner demons so he most likely doesn't realize he's hurting your feelings. The son you love and know is still in there, just trying to process what happened to him. Don't give up. A mother's love goes a long way. When I was really really bad and was ready to pretty much commit suicide, my mom was there for me. She was always there, and her being there is what held me together. In my case, I've come so far but still have panic attacks and flashbacks and whatnot. And even now being married to a protective-type husband and having security of kids and a large dog, my "safe place" is my mom. When I have a panic attack, that's where I want to be because that's where I feel safe.
Keep being there for him. He'll appreciate it as he goes along the road towards recovery.
Hugs to you :)

 

[mrs.m]

Thank

You sound like a great, caring mom and bless you for how much you care about your son :)
I just wanted to say, don't take it personally if he reacts to what you say in a negative way. He most likely isn't thinking about how he's hurting you. It sounds like he's early into dealing with his problem and is wrapped up in fighting his inner demons so he most likely doesn't realize he's hurting your feelings. The son you love and know is still in there, just trying to process what happened to him. Don't give up. A mother's love goes a long way. When I was really really bad and was ready to pretty much commit suicide, my mom was there for me. She was always there, and her being there is what held me together. In my case, I've come so far but still have panic attacks and flashbacks and whatnot. And even now being married to a protective-type husband and having security of kids and a large dog, my "safe place" is my mom. When I have a panic attack, that's where I want to be because that's where I feel safe.
Keep being there for him. He'll appreciate it as he goes along the road towards recovery.
Hugs to you :)

Thank you so very much for your supportive message. You just gave me me the courage not to feel like I am in his way. When my son was born I made a promise to him to always protect him and never let any thing hurt him. And now I feel lost because i DON"T know what he went through or what he is dealing with now. All I know is how bad he is hurting. I woke up at 3 am a few days ago because I heard him crying even though he is thousands of miles away from me. He lives so very far from me, I can't put my arms around him and hold him and promise him that everything will be ok. God Bless you for your message. You have no idea how much you have given me some comfort.

 

[friendlybadger]

I'm glad I could help in some small way :) It's hard on the family as much as the person with ptsd.

 

[ClairBear226]

Yup. A parent's job is to love, protect and teach. In that order. Period. Pretty frustrating when there's any part of that that we can't do for some reason. Just because they grow up, doesn't mean we lose the need to shelter them from harm, does it? I agree with Badger. Be there as much as you can. He'll always know it's okay to pick up the phone and call Mom. Having that lifeline, even if he were to never use it, is a very precious thing.